A thousand words in abscence of a picture

Eva, three Tonga kids, all holding hands, Eva with flowers behind her that the kids had put there, wandering through the village, pigs and piglets everywhere, if only Karen could see her daughter and the experiences she is having.

Only a couple more nights here before heading to Fiji via a northern Tongan island, the weather is still stunning, a steady 12-15 knot easterly, 25-30 degrees both in and out of the water, living the dream.

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Snorkelling te Coral Gardens

The lady who founded Moorings Yacht Charters once said any reef after this would seem dead, friends on another boat looked after Eva this afternoon so I could snorkel the Coral gardens which was amazing, white tip reef shark to boot, very special.

Tomorrow we head to Blue Lagoon then through to the lake like paradise that is Hunga Lagoon and then back into the big smoke for some provisions before heading to Fiji via another island group 160 miles north.

Its warm, its sunny, stunning sailing in 15-20 knots and both Eva and I are thriving and blossoming, need to catch some more fish but if that is the biggest problem we have then all is not so bad.

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Funnier by the minute

Eva is starting to string sentences together and becoming so incredibly funny, she really is hilarious and her extended family in the cruising group is really helping her development, we have had a few challenges along the way but it is great to feel that I am completely and utterly doing the right thing for both of us, for all those in NZ it is absolutely pissing it down here tonight, but its still 30 degrees :-)

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Vavau, Tonga

After a 70 mile day sail we are now safely anchored in Port Maurelle, a stunning anchorage in the Vauvau Group, Tonga. This is a truly amazing place, I could easily spend a whole season here just exploring, it will be a hard place to leave.

Eva has been a star, she continues to develop and become such a little girl, it amazes me every day and I am so proud of her.

Haven't resolved the crew issues yet but either way come Fiji I am pretty stuffed, hope to sort something that works for all.

Fading fast so signing off, just a quick update so you know where we are.

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Kelefesia Island

Wow it doesn't come much better, google Kelefesia Island and be amazed, we are three boats only at this post card perfect uninhabited island, it is truly stunning, as we make our way North through the Ha'apai group I expect it will only get better before we get to the Vavau Group. It was only a 50 mile sail today in 20-25 knots so great sailing but big seas so great to be tucked up in an island surrounded by reef.

What are you doing right now :-)

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Tonga

Wow. here we are in Tonga, the trip had its issues but all worth it for what we are discovering, it is stunning here, 30 degrees and crystal clear warm water, Eva and Dad heaven, short post tonight as I am SHATTERED.

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To Tonga we go

After a little R&R, a few repairs and all ship shape we are just past North Minerva headed for Tonga, should take abut 48 hours and it will be great for Eva to have some run around time and use some of that energy. I had to take the plunge and give Eva the big hair chop, its really hot and waking up drenched I thought was very very overrated so the long locks have gone, she seemed none to bothered, great place for a haircut though sitting on the stern in Minerva, nice.

Ok, bye for now need to keep these short, TOO TONGA.

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